Children are experiencing the onset of menstruation at a younger age than before, according to research, which may have implications for their health.
Among individuals born between 1950 and 2005, researchers discovered that younger generations were experiencing their first period (menarche) at an earlier age and experiencing longer periods before their cycles became regular. This information was revealed by Dr. Zifan Wang, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in an email.
The study, which was published on Wednesday in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 70,000 participants who completed surveys for the Apple Women's Health Study, a long-term research project on menstrual cycles conducted through the Apple Health mobile app. The data was mainly self-reported, which could limit the results, according to Wang. However, it's worth noting that other studies have also recorded the trend of earlier menstruation starting at a younger age over time.
Wang explained that the study compared the trends of first periods and the length of time it took for menstruation cycles to become regular among different age groups, and these trends were more evident in individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups and those of lower socioeconomic status.
He added, "This is important because early menarche and irregular periods can indicate physical and psychosocial issues later in life, which could lead to higher rates of adverse health outcomes and disparities in the US."
A fundamental marker
Dr. Eve Feinberg, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, who wasn't involved in the research, emphasized the value of menstruation as a "vital sign."
"You want to make sure that the body is regulated," Feinberg said. "And when cycles are not regular, it's generally a sign that something else may be going on."
Previous studies have linked early periods and irregular cycles to negative health effects, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The longer a person has irregular menstrual cycles, the longer they may be exposed to an imbalance between two hormones crucial for women's health: estrogen and progesterone.
Estrogen promotes growth, while progesterone signals the end of growth, Feinberg said. A healthy balance of these hormones is important for preventing conditions like uterine cancer and fertility issues in the future.
An early period, Feinberg noted, could also present problems. "For an 8-year-old to be going through puberty, there's often a disconnect between the child's mind and their body," she said.
The cause of these shifts
So, what could be fueling the changing menstrual trends?
Wang suspects that high body mass index (BMI) during childhood might be linked to earlier periods. "This implies that childhood obesity, which is on the rise in the US, might be contributing to people getting their periods earlier," Wang said.
However, Feinberg suggests that other factors like nutrition and microplastics may also play a role, necessitating further investigation.
Additional research could help healthcare providers offer better guidance regarding menstruation and its potential impact on their patients' health, according to Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah, one of the study's principal investigators and an assistant professor of environmental, reproductive, and women's health at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Feinberg recommended that physicians monitor children with early periods or long durations of irregular cycles to ensure there aren't underlying issues.
She also mentioned the possibility of using birth control pills at a younger age to help balance the body's hormones for better cycle control and potentially protect against future health concerns. But, she stressed, "The key is probably really understanding what's driving this and getting to the root cause."
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Given the context, here are two sentences that contain the word 'wellness':
The study's findings could have implications for the overall wellness of younger generations, as early menstruation and irregular periods have been linked to several health issues. Dr. Shruthi Mahalingaiah suggested that further research could lead to better guidance for healthcare providers, aiming to promote the wellness of their patients.
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